Classic Starts: A Little Princess
Classic starts Series
on Goodreads (5,655)
What’s inside...
A Little Princess tells the story of Sara Crewe, a young girl who is sent to a boarding school in London. There, she is treated like a princess until her father dies, and his fortune is seemingly lost. Sara becomes a servant at the school, but she maintains her grace and kindness throughout her hardships. Eventually, it is discovered that her father's friend has been searching for her to give her the inheritance that is rightfully hers. Following Sterling's spectacularly successful launch of its children's classic novels (240,000 books in print to date), comes a dazzling new series.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Sara cope with the changes in her life after losing her father? What can we learn from her resilience?
Why do you think kindness is important, as shown through Sara's interactions with others?
How do Sara’s friendships influence her experiences at the boarding school?
What role do imagination and storytelling play in Sara's life? How do you use your imagination?
How did Sara’s perspective on being a 'princess' change throughout the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin by asking your child about their initial impressions of Sara and how they relate to her character.
Share personal stories of overcoming difficulties and discuss how resilience can positively impact our lives.
Encourage your child to think about how they can extend kindness in their daily interactions, just as Sara does in the book.
Discuss the importance of friendships and how they can provide support during challenging times.
Create a fun activity where your child imagines a new adventure for Sara, reinforcing the value of creativity and storytelling.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: The protagonist, Sara Crewe, consistently shows kindness to others, regardless of their social status.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of treating everyone with respect and kindness, fostering a more inclusive and understanding environment.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: Sara faces significant challenges and losses but uses her imagination and inner strength to cope.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use their creativity and inner resources to overcome difficulties, promoting emotional resilience.
Example Lesson: The value of imagination
Explanation: Sara escapes her harsh realities by immersing herself in imaginative stories and scenarios.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to use their imagination as a tool for learning, coping, and entertainment.
Example Lesson: Generosity and its rewards
Explanation: Sara's inherent generosity to those around her, even when she herself has little, eventually leads to her own rescue and betterment.
Real-World Application: Children learn that kindness and generosity can often lead to positive outcomes and are important traits to cultivate.